Programme for 2010

To book any of these events, please call:
01277 365 398 (option 4)

The Over 55’s programme for 2009 continues to be as exciting and as varied as ever, with a wide range of speakers, singers and actors, both professional and amateur, not forgetting of course the occasional participation from our home team.
We trust that you will enjoy this programme as we welcome you to another year at Mulberry where you can come and relax for the afternoon with friends and family of a similar age group.
Come and enjoy the beautiful grounds and delicious food served prior to your afternoon activity. Whether you come alone or with a group, you will be made very welcome.
The cost for the day is £9.50 unless otherwise stated. The day commences at 12.15pm for a 12.30pm lunch followed by the programme as advertised. The day concludes around 3.15pm.

27th January - ‘The Ghost Walks on Friday’ with Kate Poole
‘A ghost has been defined as the disembodied spirit or soul of a deceased person, although in popular usage the term refers only to the apparition of such a person. Often described as insubstantial and partly transparent, ghosts are reported to haunt particular locations or people that they were associated with in life or at time of death.’ (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Kate brings us intriguing tales of 3 London theatres and their ghosts. ‘Sometimes creepy, charming, helpful or sad, but rarely gruesome or really frightening’.

10th February - East 15 Music Hall with Colin Sell
For almost 50 years, East 15 Acting School has produced actors, directors, producers and theatre technicians for stage, TV, film and radio including Oscar nominee Stephen Daldry, award winning director of Billy Elliot.
East 15 grew from the work of Joan Littlewood’s famed Theatre Workshop and is one of only a few drama schools to have come from such a background
An afternoon of music and song with the students of East 15 and Musical Director, Colin Sell, (the pianist from Radio 4’s I’m sorry I havent a clue).r.

24th February - History and experiences of the London underground Tony Earle
Illustrated talk with pictures. This history and reminiscences of the London Underground begins with those first smoky tunnels and the ‘padded cells’ pulled by early electronic locomotives. Tony takes us on a journey from the inception of the underground to modern times with recollections from the 1950’s and ending with a lively quiz.

10th March - High Ongar Primary school choir
A delightful afternoon of music and song, presented by the children of High Ongar Primary School under the leadership of Katie Bishop.

24th March - Easter Service
Although a week before Easter, we would like to share with you the joy and Good News of the Easter Story.

April 7th - ‘ My Stroke - From Wheelchair to Windsurfer’ with Peter Parker from the Stroke Association
With over 150,000 people in the UK having a stroke every year, it is imperative that people can recognise a stroke when it's happening and take prompt action.
Winner of the Stroke Association’s Life after Stroke Awards’ Volunteer of the Year 2007’, Peter shares his experiences following the effect of a stroke on his life and his recovery. This illustrated talk by Peter will give us some insight into the support available to stroke victims and their journey to recovery.

28th April - Ancient Meadows with Ann Brooks
Essex Wildlife Trust is the county's leading conservation charity. They have 7 Visitor Centres, 87 Nature Reserves, and 1 Nature Park and manage 7,250 acres of land. They educate 44,000 children and adults every year.
This illustrated talk with slides will present us with a year in an ancient meadow, including wild flowers and shrubs with some associated folklore.
This is the 3rd year in succession we have had the pleasure of hearing from Essex Wildlife Trust, which in itself speaks for something of the quality of these talks.

5th May - ‘The High Country of America’ with Dr. Peter Brandham
Dr. Brandham has been our guest in the past and we are delighted to welcome him back. He will be presenting a talk on
“The High Country of America” which will look at the upland flora and fauna against the background of the forests, lakes, geysers, hot springs and other natural features of the National Parks of Yellowstone and The Tetons.

19th May - The Work of the RNLI... The Charity that Saves Lives at Sea with Robin Butcher
Short film presented by Robin Butcher followed by questions and answers.
Robin will present the work of this amazing organisation where volunteer crewmembers readily exchange leisure, comfort and sleep for cold, wet and fatigue. Their lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous. The RNLI aims to save lives by changing attitudes and behaviour among people who use the sea regularly.

9th June - ‘Cartoon Crazy’ with Andy Robb
A cartoonist and children’s writer tells all. We have all doodled at times, whether deep in thought, or when releasing our creativity, or in moments of being bored out of our minds. Few of us have made our doodling into a career, but Andy Robb has. From a childhood obsession with drawing, to a career in children’s illustrations and writing, Andy has come to realise his childhood dream.

23rd June - Outing to Paper Mill Lock
Paper Mill Lock offers delightful trips along the canal starting in Chelmsford. This will be a three-hour cruise during which we will enjoy a lunch ‘on board’ one of the canal barges. We will have exclusive use of the barge during this very pleasant trip. The coach will leave Mulberry house at 11.00am and return by 4.00pm.
The cost will be £28.50

7th July - Types of grain and their uses with Chris Wenham
The History of W.H. Marriage and Sons, The Master Millers
Presented by Chris Wenham, Wholesale Development Manager.
W & H Marriage and Sons Ltd. is a well-known independent family milling business established in Chelmsford in 1824, where the family had already been farming and milling for at least 100 years. Chris will talk to us about this long-established family flour millers, whose aim is to make your baking experience a success. They believe a key ingredient is great quality flour and have a wide range of flours to make that possible. Their flours will be available in 1.5 kg packs for sale on the day.

July 28th - Garden Party with Mulberry House Staff
From 2.00pm, came and partake of Strawberries and cream teas on the terrace. We will also have a variety of games and competitions in the grounds for a fun packed afternoon.

August 11th - August 18th - August 25th
Lunch and Enjoy Grounds with Mulberry House Staff
No programmed events this month, but our usual 2-course lunch will be served, and afterwards you will be free to stroll in the grounds to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

September 15th - Why we can’t live without plants with David Cutler
Professor Cutler will tell us how plants impinge on everyday life, in addition to their being the primary source of food for all animals. We will discover how plants are sources of food and building materials. We will have a glimpse of the work that Professor Cutler is involved with in helping impoverished communities in Zimbabwe and NE Brazil to maintain a supply of firewood and charcoal. How we can identify fragments of plants microscopically and the importance of this in solving crimes, a look at instances of tree root damage to buildings and helping archaeologists know which plants were being used by earlier people.

September 29th - Mosquitoes with Keith Snow
Looking at mosquitoes in the United Kingdom – What they are, what they do and how they affect us. Dr. Snow will tell us how the mosquitoes (gnats) survive and how they impact on our lives. Also how we can avoid being bitten and control them and the impact of global climate change on mosquitoes in Britain. Will Malaria return?

6th October - Harvest Service with The Pastoral Team
Harvest is a time of thanksgiving for the fruit of the earth. While many still live today without sufficient sustenance, for many of us have a rich variety to choose from. Or service together will reflect on God’s provision for His creation.

27th October - Nuts about food with John Blastock
John is the head chef at Mulberry House and is coming to share with us some of his expertise particularly relating to ‘Nuts in food’. He will prepare four or five different dishes which we will be able to sample at the end of his presentation..

10th November - ‘Down Memory Lane’ A Hands-on History Exhibition and Travelling Museum with Barry Baugh
This travelling museum presents a wonderfully enchanting look at our history, with original gramophone music, vintage dress, medals, comics, toys, soldiers/sailors/airmen/women’s Bibles. This show has to date been presented to over 20,000 people from 4 year olds to 104 year olds, at schools, ladies and men’s groups, churches, disabled groups, care homes and fetes. This is a hands-on history collection that will truly amaze you.

24th November - ‘Hearing God in our Everyday Lives’ with Marilyn Baker, songwriter, singer, musician
Marilyn Baker Ministries is a dynamic itinerant ministry of music, teaching and prayer. It began in the early 1980’s with singer/songwriter Marilyn Baker releasing albums. Churches started inviting her to do evangelistic and encouragement concerts and Marilyn, who has been blind almost from birth, soon realised the tremendous potential to touch people’s lives in a deep way. She gave up her job as a music teacher and started ministering fulltime. Soon Marilyn was travelling extensively in Britain and many parts of the world. A familiar performer at Spring Harvest, Filey and other conferences, Marilyn quickly became Britain’s top selling female gospel singer. Early booking is recommended.

8th December - 15th December - 22nd December
Christmas Meals and Carol Service.
Enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch followed by a short service with familiar and loved carols which will be lead by members of the Mulberry House Pastoral Centre.
The cost will be £18.50